Hamas says Gaza cease-fire reached

Posted: Wednesday, June 18, 2008

JERUSALEM - The Gaza Strip's ruling Hamas militant group said Tuesday it has reached a cease-fire with Israel meant to halt a cycle of deadly Palestinian rocket attacks that rained hundreds of rockets on Israel in the past year and Israeli reprisals that have killed hundreds of Palestinians.

The accord, set to go into effect at 11 p.m. EDT today, has the bigger aim of ending Israel's yearlong economic blockade of Gaza and bringing home an Israeli soldier captured by Hamas-linked militants in a cross-border raid two years ago.

But the phased approach is prone to pitfalls, and past truces have broken down quickly. Israel cautiously promised a "new reality" if the rocket fire ends.

The announcement capped months of Egyptian-brokered negotiations that have been repeatedly marred by violence. The deal was first announced in Cairo by Egypt's state-run news agency and quickly confirmed by Hamas. However, Hamas said it would respond to any Israeli attacks.